Northern Ireland Planning Aid has a leaflet which could help you to better prepare for making representations regarding a planning application.

What happens to your enquiry?

If your enquiry is straightforward it may be possible to give you an answer over the phone. Often however an enquiry will be referred to a volunteer local to your area or who may have relevant specialist knowledge.

The volunteer, who will not work for the Planning Service or a Council, will get in touch to discuss the case with you. In many cases it is possible to deal with your query over the phone, but sometimes the volunteer may have to visit the site.

Long-term assistance is sometimes possible depending on the time volunteers have available.

Planners and Planning Aid

With the help of a part time co-ordinator funded by the DoE, the service is run by a volunteer steering group and casework is carried out by around 15 volunteers from all over the Province. We are always keen to attract new volunteers from across the Province and from all fields of planning. Volunteers are qualified planners and members of the RTPI. In addition, they are not permitted to carry out voluntary work whilst working for the Planning Service of Northern Ireland because of possible conflicts of interest. Most volunteers are either retired, academics, or consultants.

Planning Aid work gives the opportunity to broaden general planning experience and to gain insight into the system from the public's point of view.

For people seeking experience outside their main areas of expertise, support and mentoring can be arranged with more experienced volunteers.

We also welcome the contributions of current planning students and recent graduates who can become involved in casework with qualified planners, as well as assisting with the other aspects of our work such as research, publicity, fundraising, publications etc.

Is there a cost?

Planning Aid is a free service, although voluntary donations are always welcome, if you feel the service has been helpful. You may also be asked to pay for maps, reports and other documents, which are needed to help you with your case.

On What Basis is the advice given?

While every effort is made to ensure that reasonable care is taken in providing advice, no legal liability is incurred in relation to advice given or responsibility taken for the actions of individuals or groups acting on such advice